Street art can be found all over New York City, but Bushwick is special. It is like art and graffiti on crack.
In my travels, I always enjoy seeing the local street art – See, e.g., Miami, FL (Wynwood Walls – A Sampling of Photos from Miami’s Street Art Scene); Sacramento, CA (Sacramento: Amazing Street Art Everywhere You Turn!); Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Wandering Around Rio de Janeiro – Street Art); Playa del Carmen, Mexico ([Photo Tour] Incredible Street Art in Playa del Carmen, Mexico); and Melbourne, Australia (Melbourne, Australia is Street Art Heaven!), to name a few!
I’m neither an expert nor an aficionado, but, with time, I have learned who many of the most famous artists are. Enter, the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn. Bushwick is one of those communities in Brooklyn that went through many stages. Initially, it was industrial and working class. At a point, it was not a very desirable area. Now, it has transitioned into an exciting, lively, vibrant community. And, there is street art everywhere – and I mean EVERYWHERE!
Saturday, I was researching local events around New York City and I learned that Bushwick Collective was that day. Bushwick Collective is an annual block party throughout the neighborhood. What makes it special is not only the great musical entertainment and the food trucks and the overall vibe, but that it is also an annual celebration of art event – with an amazing number of famous artists creating new works of art for the event.
Getting to Bushwick, Brooklyn from Manhattan was super easy. We took the L train from 14th Street to Jefferson Street, and we were there. The art was incredible, and many of the murals were painted specifically for 2021 Bushwick Collective. And, if all that wasn’t exciting enough, I got to see and even speak to, many of the artists.
Here are some of my photos. This is only the tip of the iceberg!
Robert Vargas, Los Angeles, CA
Ghostbeard, Detroit, MI
Carson DeYoung @depsone
Cristhian Saravia aka Golden
Celebrating the 10 Year birthday of Bushwick Collective, Wellington Naberezny, aka Sipros, São Paulo, Brazil
@1.4.4.0
Bart Simpson by La Plaga Invade
scary but beautiful?
Peace by Kyle Holbrook
Phetus88
Eeks. El Hase, Horror City
So Lucky?
artist at work
@Misteralek California
Andaluz the Artist
Lexi Bella, NYC
This mural below was my favorite one of the day. The artist is Osiris Rain, who’s motto is WORK HARD PLAY HARD DO GOOD BE GOOD! He was putting the finishing touches on this masterpiece when I walked by and he stopped to speak to me.
Osiris Rain, Work Hard, Play Hard, Do Good, Be Good
Whimsical art! artist?
So, if you’re visiting New York City, or you live here and you’re looking for a fun and unique way to spend a day, jump on the subway and visit Bushwick! There are plenty of cute cafes and restaurants there too!
(Note: feel free to comment with the names of any of the artists I missed).
Have a great day!